3-D Lent: Almsgiving

The second of the three disciplines of Lent is almsgiving. Very simply, it means giving to people who are normally left out. But for Catholics, it’s a little more than that.

It’s giving because God gave us extra in order to share.

It’s giving because those in need are children of God just as we are.

It’s giving because both the giver and the receiver are strengthened spiritually.

If you are a parent, or have a close relationship to someone (even a pet), and that person or pet gets hurt, you feel the pain as well. That’s how God feels, too, when one of His children needs something. Jesus said that “whatever you do for the least of my people, you do to me.” One the saints said we are the arms and hands of God. Almsgiving, then, is giving because you see God in other people, just like friends and strangers might see your resemblance in your children.

Almsgiving isn’t just about money either. Nor is it bagging up clothes that are ripped, worn, outdated or for other reasons we don’t want any longer. It’s giving material things, like clothes and shoes, that are needed whether or not we have an abundance, need to repair them, or can buy them new for others. The focus is on the other person; not on cleaning our our closets.

Money and material things are not the only needs of the less fortunate either. Capability and opportunity are as well. Education is a need. Therapies are needs. Babysitters while parents work are needs. Grocery stores within walking distance that sell healthy, affordable food is a need.

So is opportunity. For friendships. For playing outside safely. For traveling beyond one’s neighborhood. For scholarships, internships. For employment.

Small steps may be necessary. God isn’t asking us to take care of the entire problem. He’s saying we have money, material, time, effort, or opportunity we can donate to someone to move their problem in the direction of a solution.

Most Catholic parishes around the world have Saint Vincent dePaul Societies with volunteers who help with food, clothes, housing, and other needs. Your time, materials, and money would be greatly appreciated by any of them. Lots of churches and community organizations offer them too (Salvation Army, Meals on Wheels, those kinds of things.)

I hope you’ll stop by next Tuesday. It will be Groundshog Day (maybe he’ll come out and say the pandemic is over; but I doubt it.) We’ll talk talk about non-traditional prayer. No, we aren’t throwing traditional prayers out but we need to think about the easy, simple, but rewarding Guided Meditation we’ll have during Lent. With holy card symbols, of course.

Be blessed.